30.09.21
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You don’t have to be a native New Yorker to know the name Kush Jones.

The Bronx born-and-raised producer, DJ and Juke Bounce Werk crew member has earned himself international acclaim in recent years, drawing listeners in through numerous volumes of his self-released Strictly 4 My CDJZ series or the incendiary existing, do not desire to be perceived, which landed on Jones’ birthday this past July. His fluid, high-energy selections and club-rooted signatures play a key role here too, with Jones strutting between footwork, house and techno (among other genres) with the charm and wit of a main character. True to his playful energy, we caught up with the prolific producer to discuss memes, time travelling and video game soundtracks.

How would your friends describe you in three words?
My favourite description I received from a friend is “greatest critical thinker”.

What’s the weirdest DM you’ve ever received?
Too traumatic and long of a story for here – buy my book when it drops. I’ll say after that experience, I screen everything now.

What’s your biggest fear?
I ain’t ‘boutta tell y’all shit. Somebody may use it to come after me.

What makes you feel nostalgic?
Video games. The soundtrack to the first Ape Escape game. My favourite track from it is Frosty Retreat by Soichi Terada. I also was a big fan of Max B; his music and mixtapes are important to me.

Weirdest thing you’ve experienced in a club?
Racism.

Best thing about New York?
The Bronx. Not gonna name anything specific because I don’t know who is going to read this and I don’t want the gentrifiers to slide on me at my favourite spots. The Bronx is my sanctuary though – I love it here.

What’s your favourite meme?
I don’t like memes. I believe they destroyed communication among people. You can present a cohesive thought and someone boils it down to a photo with Impact text. If I had to pick one I relate to though, it’s definitely the ‘How I Sleep Knowing’ meme.

What’s your earliest childhood memory?
Nah. We are not unpacking here.

Most famous person you’ve ever met?
Stephon Marbury.

What would you want written on your tombstone?
“If you ain’t fuck with me when I was living don’t come here now.” Honestly, I might lay claymores around my shit.

If you could time travel where would you go?
I would call my bro LP and we would go back and stop slavery and imperialism. Two jet skis in the ocean spraying at the pilgrims, sinking boats and ending all that shit. He’s gonna laugh when he reads this, but I think it’d be amazing.

What instantly cheers you up?
Basketball – playing it or watching it. I also just enjoy quiet and peace.

Favourite Twitter account?
Mine.

If you could give young Kush Jones one piece of advice, what would it be?
We are only on this planet for a segmented amount of time, so do what you can to leave it a better place. I would immediately follow that with, “you can’t save the world either”.

Best footwork track of all time?
DJ Rashad’s Reverb.

Who do you look up to the most?
My momma. She’s cool.

Best piece of advice you’d give a budding DJ?
Keep the business separate from the personal. Too many times I have seen people blur lines and unrealistic expectations are made and then deals go sour.

What really gets on your nerves?
I can’t really rock with pretentious people by way of being condescending. Also I really don’t like when people do the wrong shit by folk and then start finding what I like to call ‘hood memes’ with quotes about how they not fucking with anyone anymore. Just shut your ass up and apologise.

What’s your favourite lyric of all time?
He’s a dick, you pussy/ Y’all neighbours” from Jadakiss’ Who Shot Ya.

What’s your 2021 mantra?
If you’re tired of clowns, stop going to the circus.

Who is Alonzo Snipes? Vol. 1 is out now via Kush Jones